Real Living Space

I’m having difficulty getting into work mode. My head is awash with so many things, worry, especially. I cannot go back to “business as usual,” it is just inconceivable after Ondoy.

The houses of two of Real Living’s former staffers have been devastated, though they are both safe. The father of one of my officemates drowned in the floods. There has been a successful relief drive in the office, but for most, the damage has been done. We’ve done quite a number of Makeovers in the Cainta, Marikina, and Ortigas Extension areas, I’m quite sure their homes were affected, but I hope the families are safe.

Now how can I talk about stylish furniture and pretty accessories now? I won’t, just for now.

In the meantime, style editor Gwyn Guanzon posted this article on how to clean up your house after flood damage. Click on the Associated Content article here.

And it’s never too late to help. Our publisher, Fran Haw, posted these relief centers and drop-off areas in her blog:

MALLS AND COMMERCIAL OUTLETS
Aranaz Stores (Rockwell & Greenbelt) – accepting donations of any kind for Payatas communities
Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (all branches) – canned goods, water, clothes, blankets, towels, medicine, and emergency supplies (no cash)
LUCA stores (Rockwell, Shangri-la, Eastwood, or GA Towers) - Send your old clothes & donations (no cash pls)
Mail & More, FedEx & Air21 outlets – now accepting donations. For locations, pls call +6328794789 or log to www.mailandmore.com.ph
McDonald’s (all branches in MM) – accepting donations as of Sept. 28, 12NN
MOONSHINE boutique (Rockwell) - accepting relief goods to help Ondoy victims in Marikina and Cainta.
Papemelroti stores (91 Roces Ave. / Ali Mall Cubao / SM City North EDSA / SM Fairview / SM Megamall / Glorietta 3 in Makati / SM Centerpoint / SM Southmall) – accepting relief goods (canned goods / milk / bottled water / clothes – NO CASH pls.)
PowerPlant Mall – accepting donations for ABS-CBN Foundation. Drop-off at Admin Office, P1 level.
7-Eleven (all branches) – serve as drop-off points for relief supplies such as ready-to-eat goods, mats, mosquito nets and water jugs.
Starbucks – accepting blankets, rice, instant noodles and bottled water. These items will be delivered to Ateneo de Manila University.
Team Manila stores in Trinoma, Mall of Asia, Jupiter Bel-Air and Rockwell shall be accepting relief goods (Canned Goods, Ready-to-drink Milk,Bottled Water and Clothes) for distribution by Veritas.

GOVERNMENT/RELIEF AGENCIES/ OTHERS
AKBAYAN - taking donations, call 433-69-33/433-68-31 to donate or volunteer.
BAYAN MUNA – bring donations to 45 K-7th St.. Bgy. West Kamias, QC. Tel 921-3473
Move for Chiz – asking for volunteers at Bay Park Tent, along Roxas Blvd., beside Max Restaurant and Diamond Hotel in Manila, or at Gilas Minipark at Unang Hakbang St., Gilas Q.C.
Worldvision Foundation – accepting donations/volunteers to pack relief goods in QC. For $ donations, BPI: USD acct #4254-0050-08
Philippine National Red Cross – visit their site HERE for various ways to donate.
Sen. Kiko Pangilinan is accepting donations @ AGS Bldg Annex, 446 EDSA Guadalupe Viejo. Contact Vina Vargas at +632917-8081247

WITHIN METRO MANILA

Cavite
NCST (Dasmarinas Cavite) – Volunteers/donations welcome. Call (046)416-6278 Ms. Angie

Makati
Assumption College (San Lorenzo Village) – Please drop donations off at the AC guardhouse.
Binalot (Greenbelt 1) – call Tetchie Bundalian at +632922-8573277
Whitespace (2314 Chino Roces Ave Ext) – Makati drop-off for relief goods

Mandaluyong/San Juan
CFC Center Ortigas (right side, immediately after you come down EDSA flyover) – open for donations in cash or kind. Call +632-7270682 to 87 or text +632922-2542819
La Salle Greenhills – drop off your donations (clothes, food, etc) at Gate 2 on Monday, Sept. 28, or volunteer from 9am to receive, sort, repack the donations.
Xavier School – canned goods, bread, noodles. Please bring to Multipurpose Center (MPC). Accepted till Monday, Sept. 28.
ICA Greenhills - accepting donations and open to volunteers too

Manila
Caritas Manila Office (Jesus St., Pandacan Manila near Nagtahan Bridge) - call +632-5639298, +632-5639308
MINISTOP IBARRA (Espana cor. Blumentritt, Sampaloc Manila) – Food (non-perishable goods only) Clothing, Medicines, Beds, Pillows, Blankets, Emergency Supplies

Muntinlupa
Hillsborough Village Chapel – Water, blankets, shoes, and clothes. These will go to families whose houses were washed out in the nearby sitios.

Paranaque
Alabang Town Center Concierge – acts as drop-off point for donations
Operation Rainbow (Zac Faelnar Camara) at Ayala Alabang Village - needs Canned Goods, Ready-To-Eat Food, Bottled Water, Ready-To-Drink Milk/ Juice, Clothing, Blankets, contact (+632-4687991)
Playschool International (47 Ghana St., Better Living Subd., Paranaque) - open to receive donations (NO CASH, PLS) for relief goods. Please feel free to send your donations there. Teachers/staff will coordinate sending these to the centers.

Pasig
Miriam Quiambao – drop off point: One Orchard Road Building in Eastwood, or message http://www.twitter.com/miriamq for more details.
Relief Efforts for Pasig at Valle Verde 1 Village Park – contact +632916-4945000, +632917-5273616
Donations and manpower needed at Megatent, Meralco Avenue, Ortigas beside Renaissance Towers. it will be open 24 hours til Friday
RENAISSANCE FITNESS CENTER (2nd Floor, Bramante Building, Renaissance Towers Ortigas, Meralco Avenue) – Donations can be brought starting Monday, Sept. 28/9am – 7pm. Contact Person: Warren Habaluyas (+632929-8713488) or email at luzonrelief@gmail.com
RFM Gym (Pioneer) – donations are being requested by GAWAD KALINGA. Call/text +63917-8888109 /+63917-8888304

Quezon City
ABS-CBN through Banco de Oro account number 56300-20111; account name: ABS-CBN Foundation Incorporation (NOTE: This account # needs verification because on the ABS-CBN Foundation website, the account # is 5630060113)
Ateneo de Manila University – cooked or ready-to-eat food, clothes, medicine, blankets, water. Donations may be dropped off at the MVP, University Dorm, or Cervini lobbies.
Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health - accepting donations of medicines. A center in Pasig has more than 1,000 evacuees, mostly kids suffering from colds and fever. Call Louie Montalbo: (0918) 936-2095.
Bantayog ng mga Bayani, Quezon Ave. corner EDSA, QC - drop-off center for donations
Citizens Disaster Response Center (CDRC) – Relief goods for typhoon victims being accepted at 72-A Times St., West Triangle, QC. Tel (+632-9299820/22)
CONTEND-UP, UP Diliman Faculty Center -drop-off point for donations
Erica Paredes (Katipunan), +63917-4741930 – they need bread, packed juice, sandwich filling (tuna, chicken, anything) You can help her make them, deliver the sandwiches to her house, or help her distribute! Call for more details.
Kabataan Partylist, 118-B Scout Rallos, QC) – drop-off point for donations
KADAMAY (Urban Poor Group) – accepts donations of relief goods at 12-A Kasiyahan St, Bgy Holy Spirit, Commonwealth, QC Tel 427-4315
Manor Superclub (Eastwood City) – will accept goods and other emergency items starting Sunday, Sept. 27, at 10 am.
National City United Church, Times St., Q.C. -drop-off pt for donations
NoyMar Relief Operations – contact Clare Amador (+63928 520 5508) or Jana Vicente (+63928 520 5499). Drop-off for relief donations is at Balay Expo Center across Farmers Market Cubao. 8am – 9pm throughout the week until further notice. Donate drinking water, old medicines, clothing, blankets, canned goods, noodles. Volunteer to man stations and repack food.
Our Lady of Pentecost Parish (12 F. Dela Rosa corner C. Salvador Sts., Loyola Heights, Quezon City) – call +632-4342397, +632-9290665
Philippine Army Gym (inside Fort Bonifacio) or GHQ Gym (Camp Aguinaldo) - now distributing donations for Ondoy Victims.
Radio Veritas (Veritas Tower West Ave. cor EDSA) – call +632-9257931 to 40
Tulong Bayan, Cubao – needs clothes, salt and cooking oil in sachets: 0908-6579998, 0939-3633436, 9137122
UP College of Arts and Letters (Diliman) – Hotline: 09296454102 (Prof. Roselle Pineda). Look for: Guard on Duty (in UP CAL). Operations: 24 hours until Wednesday, Sept. 30, tentatively. Donate medicines, clothes, blankets, food to be distributed by Citizens’ Disaster Response Center.
UP College of Law – Kindly drop off goods at Student Lounge or contact Dean’s Office
UPD- University Student Council, Vinzons Hall, UP Diliman, Q.C. -drop-off pt for donations

Taguig
Enderun Colleges (The Fort) – needs volunteers to chop, cook and pack food. They are on 24-hour duty.

Thanks. Stay safe, all.

I’m baaack!

I was gone for a month because I was busy doing this…

That’s me with my groom–and a gorgeous, gorgeous bouquet by Real Living’s very own style editor, ze fabulous Gwyn Guanzon. In keeping with my green, black, and white theme, the bouquet had green blooms, peacock feathers, ostrich feathers, and green and black crystals to complement my white dress!

While I was stressing over table assignments and DIY touches (can’t be helped), I missed an entire issue which, I’m told, was a bit difficult to produce. Well today, I was able to go through a printout of RL’s November ish, and I must say, it is bee-yoo-ti-ful! It was wonderful reading it with fresh eyes–I must admit, it kind of loses its novelty when you have to read an article at least three times (from draft to proof) on a regular month. I told the staff that today, I felt like a reader who excitedly got the latest issue of RL. It was nice just perusing–instead of dissecting!–the finished product, and being reminded of what it’s like to be surprised and inspired by the mag! A big, hearty pat on the back for each member of the RL staff! I’m slightly envious that I had no part in producing this ish. Sigh.

I’m not quite sure whether the mag has this effect on readers every month (does it, readers?), or if this is a particularly exceptional issue. This plug is two months early, but do grab a copy of this fantastic ish when it comes out! I’m that excited by it!

P.S. Since I had nothing to contrib for a whole month, I’ll just leave y’all with a couple of decor ideas and some pics of the RL family at My Big Day!

Our awesome caterer, Kaye Cunanan, was nice enough to give me the personal touches I wanted. She had plastic doilies spraypainted black just for our centerpiece! (Photo by The Mango Farm’s manager)

A lot of people thought the black “piping” around the cake was icing–it was actually black eyelet-like ribbon that I got from lace shop Carolina’s. I just ordered a plain white cake (which came with the venue–I wasn’t about to spend a bundle on some designer cake!) and, upon the suggestion of Kaye and Martha Stewart Weddings ed in chief Tata, got stuff to embellish it to make it go with our theme. 

With (clockwise from left, seated) art director Arlene Sy, editor in chief Rach Medina, style ed Gwyn Guanzon, photog Ocs Alvarez (whom I fondly call Tito) and his wife Bel, and Martha Stewart Weddings ed in chief Tata Mapa.

(Clockwise from left) Contrib Chinggay Labrador, former associate stylist Issa Villar, photog Miguel Nacianceno, the Alvarezes, ed assistants Katherine Lopez and Kath Valle, and assistant stylist Coni Tejada.

My work friends partying with my high school friends!

I was saddened (and rattled—we’re a shelter title, too) by the demise of our favorite shelter magazine Domino early this year, and was saddened even more when there wasn’t any other US title like it to take its place (Martha Stewart’s Blueprint—yet another lovely shelter mag—was killed two years ago, and RL Australia is a totally different animal altogether).

So I was delighted to find out that a former Domino editor, Michelle Adams, is setting up a Domino-esque online shelter-and-lifestyle magazine, called Lonny in October of this year. Now I’m not so sold on the title, but the editors say its means “London, New York,” so I guess you’ll be seeing cultural and design content from both those cities. Here are sample pages from their website (still under construction):

If you read their mission statement, their mission is “to reopen the doors of accessible design.” I’m all for that, so I’m excited for this website as well. Not a Domino replacement, but hopefully, just as satisfying. (Thank you Jenny and the Fashpack for the tip)

Hope springs eternal—to be more specific, I’m hoping that the production of this issue will end.

Because of some misalignment of planets, the current issue we’ve been working on is so difficult, it’s been driving everyone nuts—complicated pullouts, minor squabbles, makulit TV people, psycho makeover winners (how ungrateful!)—sana matapos na.

But I’m keeping my fingers crossed on this issue. In spite of the headaches, it’ll be a lovely one. (photo by Miguel Nacianceno)

My mother and I have always loved wallpapers because they are so pretty and can instantly liven up a wall. But unfortunately, we never got to put up a single roll because practicality got the better of us. ( The dust would ruin the wallpaper in just a couple of months; Doing a whole room in wallpaper would cost much; blah.blah.blah.)

So just imagine my delight when I stumbled upon these at Wallprints:

Ecoartist digital NYC (1m x 2.70m), P4,000 per roll. It comes in gray and black.

Ecoartist digital Milano (1m x 2.70m), P4,000 per roll. It comes in red, green, and black.

These wallpapers were specifically designed to have enough impact that one roll on the wall is enough. (But if you want to do the whole room, who are we to stop you? Just keep the aspirin handy for the inevitable headache.)

I’m actually thinking of getting Ecoartist digital Milano in red. What do you think? I’m really glad that I don’t have to dig too deep into my pocket just to get my room some wallpaper. Now, all that’s left for me to do is take down the ‘A walk in the clouds’ movie poster from my bedroom wall. (Keanu’s been up there since I was in the seventh grade.)

*Wallprints is located at the G/F J&L Building, 251 EDSA Greenhills, Mandaluyong City (right across the people power monument)

Tel. (02) 726-8376

email wprints@gmail.com

(photos by Jun Pinzon)

I was pleasantly surprised to hear that a Lock & Lock store finally opened at Shangri-la Plaza, Mandaluyong (their main store is in Korea):

What??? A store completely devoted to everyone’s favorite baunan? This store carries much more than the lock & lock sold in the department stores. Aside from hundreds of sizes and types of baunan (I especially love the floral-printed storage containers), all 100%-spillproof of course (it’s true—I’ve used these to hold soup and vinaigrette, and not a drop was spilled when it rolled around in my ginormous tote bag), they also carry their Cookplus stainless steel cookware that are very durable, and can heat food really fast:

A second Lock & Lock branch will open soon at Eastwood; another reason to have packed lunches instead of eating out. Read more about Lock & Lock in the October issue of Real Living. (Styling by Issa Villar, photos by Miguel Nacianceno)

My bad, I haven’t had an entry in weeks. I promise, dear readers, to make up for this.

On the other hand, I’d like to talk about makeovers and gratefulness. I’m bringing this up because I’ve encountered a few makeover winners (less than a handful,actually) who have exhibited less-than-gracious attitudes during their makeovers. These run the gamut from pestering the designer for additional renovations that are not part of the makeover budget, being inflexible about their schedules, thus giving the contractors a hard time, or a homeowner who is just plain difficult. This pisses me off to no end.

Dear makeover winners, please be grateful. The Real Living team works very hard for this. Kaye of In-mag loses sleep getting sponsors for the makeover. Managing ed Tisha slugs it out while organizing it to death, dealing with all the logistics and coordination—no easy job. Our publisher Fran makes sure that the makeover runs smoothly every month, acting as a go-between for our in-mag and editorial departments. Our style editor Gwyn Guanzon or stylist Coni will sweat it out styling it for you so that it’ll look wonderful in the pictures. And we shouldn’t forget our wonderful makeover designers every month—Grace, Hannah, Kristine, Vivian, Jippi, Kath—who exert extra effort and sacrifice their time and energy just to make sure your homes become beautiful. So many people are involved, and it is not an easy task. Almost all the makeover winners are just happy and grateful to win, no matter what budget is bestowed for their renovation.

So if you’re not happy at the very start of the makeover or you just want to be difficult, please let us know at once. I’d be glad to give your makeover to another family—someone who’s more appreciative, kind, and deserving. This is not a threat—just a promise. Yun lang po.

I went out of my comfort zone recently and styled an article for Men’s Health Philippines. Now even though I’m supposed to like whatever design style is put on the table, I’d like to describe my own personal style as a bit “New Pretty”—feminine bordering on funky. And then Men’s Health editor Agu Paiso was forever bugging me to work on a Living section for their mag—oh no, but I do hate black leather sofas and chrome tables! So I did an article on organizing instead, which is apt for all the messy guys out there.

And it was so different styling for a men’s magazine. For one thing, I was the only girl; there were no other female assistants, or gay stylists! Only MH staffers Peejo and Wayne were there, and the mood was very relaxed—a lot of horsing around, and they brought Krispy Kremes for snacks! The shoot went swimmingly; we shot it at photog Toto Labrador’s sprawling studio. Here he is setting up the first shot with lighting designer L.A.:

And all the stuff in front, including the boxes, clothes, and shoes (Agu’s actually) were all our pullouts!

Here’s the first page of the final product. Hope you can check out the September ish of Men’s Health Philippines, out on newsstands now.

A friend recently told me about a Twitter update on someone getting confused over Panton and Pantone. That was hilarious, but apparently, it happens a lot. Many people (actually, even designers) commit typos talking and writing about Panton (the designer and the famous chair) and Pantone (the company that creates colors for commercial design use and their famous color swatches). The mistakes are almost as common as confusing their P’s and F’s.

We decided to rectify that by coming out with a feature on Verner Panton, thanks to RL contrib Charmaine Baylon. Here it is as it appears in the RL September ish:

Amazing, isn’t it? That’s an archival photo of the Varna restaurant in Sweden (culled from the National Museum of Singapore, which exhibited his works). In the article, Charmaine talks about the designer, his prolific work (he was designing until 1998, the year of his death), and of course, his famous Panton Chair, arguably one of the most copied chairs in the world:

Meanwhile, I just got the latest Kartell catalogue from Dexterton, and am drooling over the Bourellec brothers’ Papyrus Chairs:

I think I like the Papyrus because it has a very 1970s-office vibe to it. Lovely. Meanwhile, hope you could grab a copy of Real Living September, read about Panton, and not confuse your P’s and P’s.